>> hello, this is the al jazeera news hour live from doha. these are the top stories. the russian president gets permission from parliament to send troops to ukraine. >> i'm james bays at the united nations where in an hour's time for the second time in 24 hours the security council meets in emergency session. >> hello there, i'm julie mcdonald in london. i'll have more on the crisis in ukraine. and guantanamo bay detainee

denies charge of providing terrorism training in syria. >> taliban announce in pakistans cease-fire because it wants to revive peace talks. as the oscars approach why stuntmen feel they're not getting enough recognition for being blown up, beaten up, and knocked down. >> in just an hour from now the u.n. security council is meeting to discuss the escalating crisis in ukraine. this is just hours after the russian president is given permission to put troops in ukraine. vladimir putin warns of a threat

for russians in the area. we're going to be going live to the capitol where we'll speak to rory in moscow, but first let's go to our diplomatic editor james bays. james, round two at the united nations. what are the expectations regarding the latest development? >> i think the expectations are pretty low. closed door meetings starting in an hour's time, and i think most people assume that it will be pretty similar to the meeting that took place 24 hours ago, but in an even more charged atmosphere. i think behind those closed doors you'll have denunciation of russian by western nations. you'll have russia fighting back. afterwards i expect to hear from key players speaking to the press. but i think its likely to be deadlock around the security council table. there is frantic diplomacy going on in other parts of the world,

too. with regard to the u.n. there is an u.n. envoy robert suri who has been in ukraine. he tried to make a trip from ukraine to--or from kiev to crimea to try to mediate the situation. that was certainly an effort supported by some around the security table. ththe ambassador said that was n important meeting. he was not welcomed to crimea. instead he's going geneva to brief ban ki-moon the u.n. secretary general. starting on monday there is the high level segment of the u.n. human rights council. not to do with this, but i it is where lots of world leaders will be gathered including the russian foreign minister. now relations between western

leaders and russians are not good in the best of times, but it's known that those two have a particular rapport the russian foreign minister and the american secretary of state. >> we'll leave it there. so what is russia going to do? any idea at this stage if they're going to go in? >> well, that all depends on one man. that man is vladimir putin. he is, of course, the president of russia, but he is also the commander in chief of the military. so now that the upper house of parliament has given him the permission to expand russia's military involvement in ukraine it is now his decision about whether or not he does that. we are being told by the kremlin spokesman and the foreign ministry that he might not necessarily do it. it is something that he is weighing up at the moment.

he will decide if it goes ahead, he will also decide how big the escalation of russia's military involvement is, how many troops get sent in. and what they will be doing when they get there. we are not expecting necessarily for that decision to be imminently. we have been told by the foreign ministry that this is something that could not happen imminently. it might take a day or two. it might be something that wait for various more stages of international mediation to happen first. >> thank you for that. back in crimea, armed men have taken control of airports and the regional parliament building. it's not clear there they are militia members or russian soldiers already in ukraine. part of the russian navy is based in the country. we have more from the crimea

capitol. how much has changed between thursday and friday. now the building guarded by armed troops and the same civilians issue new orders. go back, be gone. they enjoy the power. it isn't just the parliament building and parliament itself which have been lost to kiev. the block cases have spread to places like the police and security services headquarters. overnight the state tv channel was plunged into darkness. we saw military figures inside the perimeter. the airport and apparently air space controlled by people who want to keep ukraines influence out of here. even on civilian flights. these things don't look like a random series of coincidences. political institutions, state television, airports, military installations must go to drive all of these things as strategic

objects. if you can patrol them you can control events. coo it be that moscow wants to use the ukrainian crisis as an opportunity to take back crimea. as to emphasize the point the new pro russian prime minister announced he would take control of a whole wrath of ministries ranging from border control and navy. and the people in charge of those things didn't like it, he said they could resign. recognizing my responsibility with the lives and safety of the people, i call upon vladimir putin to offer assistance in peace and order. of course, plenty of people here like all this. all these people said they would love it if moscow started handing out russian passports as they did in breakaway regions of georgia. >> all of us are russians. we kept our documents because in our souls we are russians.

but we had to accept ukrainian passports in order to get pension or to work. but the speed of all this has left others terrified. at this ukrainian church they held a service for those protesting in kiev. they see troop movements here, lack of government control and they're frightened. >> we wake up in the morning and don't know what will happen. we are very worried. >> they are defending their own tv channel. >> putin gave these orders. it's impossible head of state does not know he's intimidating another country. they have the tanks ready. they were just looking for a reason. >> reporter: of course the russian view is that it's ridiculous that it's invading a place where they already have a

military presence and not at all change to want to lay claim to a place which historically belonged to them. al jazeera, crimea. >> what is the situation there now, and the feeling of what is likely to happen. >> i have to tell you that all the the men here at the parliament building here today and they have all disappeared from the parliament. that said there are some men who are occupying the building inside. now we also know that however those armed men we presume either have russian allegiance are all russian, and are still in front of the counselor of ministers and other installations around the city. so you have this dynamic here of these men with arms that people call russians, but we don't have the confirmation.

they have been playing a cat and mouse game. they are going around with the self defense unit, and then you have throughout the day groups of people who are protesting, waving the russian flag, and they will protect russian interests wherever they are in the world. parallel to that you have the politics going on. the regional prime minister started the day saying they have taken temporary control of the military, the navy and police and also called on those commanders who did not want to follow his order to just leave their positions, and then he said that he announced that the referendum that was initially set for may 25th which was the same day as the national presidential election is now brought forward to march 30th. now in that referendum he will

ask the people of crimea whether they want more autonomy from kiev. one might wonder what more they want. what they do want they do have autonomy in the budget, how to spend it. they have autonomy in matters of education, health, agriculture. but what seems to be happening at the moment that he's going to be asking whether they want to take orders from kiev any more, he'll ask people if they want to carry out their own legislation. and that will also give them the right to decide what to do on the russian troops that are stationed at this region. they should be coordinating with kiev any movements they make jots ooutside of their basis. what we hear from officials in kiev, that has not been happening.

i think what we're getting here is that the government wants to consolidate his position and get some sort of jetcy in front of the international community. >> got it. thank you. that's the situation in crimea. what is ukraine going to do about it? earlier its ambassador t who sad the countries are close to war. >> yesterday we tried to stop this dangerous development in security council here in united nations. and what happened today in russian parliament, it's aggression. it's aggression. and this aggression should be stopped. president putin has not signed the decision on the parliament. we have some minutes, hours, almost days to address putin

himself, to think, to avoid a huge military move in the region. airplanes violating borders, and trying to restrain the legalistic nation to what it was. but we have all the evidence to call even yesterday that it was intervention and aggression. what i understand we should do, and what the colleague from russian federation refuse in front of the press, we are to address to the rest of the guarantees of our security under the budapest memorandum, mainly the united states, united kingdom, france and china who guaranteed our security, and if

any actions would threaten our territory and integrate and civility, we will demand from them to interfere an against the aggression that has been announced. >> will this lead to all-out war. >> we're close to that. we would like to avoid any more, especially on the eve of the great orthodox easter which starts tomorrow. now, we address the christians in russian federation to putin who is christian himself not to violate the obligations of the russian federation or the united nations charter. they are close to violate severely, and they will be punished by the world community for sure. >> still ahead on the news hour a deadly attack on a polio

vaccination team in pakistan. we'll tell i couldn't the tap ban is targeting them. and we're be life in joaquin guzman's hometown and why some people want him released. and a manager is sent off for headbutting a player. those details coming in. >> pakistani government cease-fire declaration. the armed group said that it wants to revive stalled talks with the government. we have updates from islamabad. >> an announcement by the taliban pakistan spokesman that they have decided that the taliban would observe an

one-month cease-fire against the security forces, and the government's committee that was constituted by the prime minister to talk to the taliban has welcomed the move saying those talks which were deadlocked when security forces were killed, and when taliban factions took responsibility for t those talks can now resume. there was a sincere effort by the taliban to make sure that that cease-fire will hold. the taliban has instructed various outfits cross the country to respect the cease-fire and it has been taken to the highest level in the taliban. >> 12 people have died in attack on a polio vaccination team. their vehicle was hit by a road

roadside bomb, no one was killed. it was in another attack where there were fay i willties. armed groups oppose internationally assisted polio vaccination, saying that it's a cover for spying. the c.i.a. used the polio vaccination drive to track down osama bin laden. the pakistan ambassador said the people are against polio ac mandarin sivaccination, and it'a lot of suffering. >> people who are against t there are two big factors for it. one is the original or the very old anti-family planning

propaganda. maybe one of the reasons is that it's containing medicine with family planning in that. or maybe the problem where they were trying to find osama bin laden, the reaction of certain groups to the polio vaccination. i don't think the taliban is responsible, they have not claimed responsibility for it, but they're grossly against it, and we're suffering because of that. >> president hassan rouhani spoke out and said its peoples own beliefs are the reason why they're not looking to create a nuclear system.

>> weapons of mass destruction. that's our red line. not because of what some resolution or convention said. we signed the treaty and showed the world we were not after such weapons. even if there were no treaty, our beliefs, our faith, our reasonable and principles tell us not to seek after weapons of mass destruction. if iran were after weapons of mass destruction, it would make chemical weapons which is are easy to make. >> in libya an officer killed. the reason recent attacks have targeted police and army officers in the city. egypt has sworn in its latest interim government. there are 12 new ministers and

18 old faces. as nicole johnson reports, it's still not clear why the old cabinet resigned or whether it was forced to. >> reporter: egypt's president has sworn in a new government. the housing minister was the first to take the oath. however many egyptians wait to see what they will do. there was speculation that he would design permanently as defense minister and then run for president. turns out he's staying on as minister of defense and leader of the armed forces for now. the position of interior minister has not changed despite pressure by some political parties to remove mohammed ib rahim. and it's not just the political scene that is shaky. security is also untabl unstabl. it was obvious on friday when in

cairo one person was killed and a dozen injured when the police cracked down on protests. >> there is trouble in alexandria as well. boys were shot dead. >> he lost his life for the sake of his country and the sake of his religion. the current rulers are to be blamed. >> reporter: in the last few weeks there have been strikes and protests by workers who want to be paid more. keeping a lid on these would be a challenge for the cabinet. once again there will be a new

government in egypt. >> al jazeera continues to demand release of its staff held in egypt. they have now spent 63 days in prison. they are accused of having links to a terrorist organization and spreading false news. al jazeera rejects the charges. and another journalist from the al jazeera arabic has been held and has been on a hundre a hunge to protest his imprisonment. joaquin guzman is considered a folk hero who gave them jobs. from northwestern mexico, how are people reacting to the news?

>> reporter: well, we've seen some pretty strong reactions here over the past week since the arrest of el chapo. today, in fact, there is a demonstration being organized a march, i should say, being organized by a group said sin lowans for peace. thousands of people showed up in support of el chapo. there were people carrying signs saying, el chapo, give me a baby. thousands of people were out in support, and we're waiting to see this march happen today. in contrast to this, to see how many people gather together and show that not everyone is in

support of el chapo here. >> other than that, what impact is his arrest likely to have over there? >> reporter: that's, jane, is the mill dollar question. what is going to change with the arrest of el cha po? drug security analysts say that drug infrastructure is not going to slow down. it's not going to slow down the flow of drugs going north. as well as the economic activity that depends on the drug trafficking, and that probably we're not going to see dissipate any time soon. it will be interesting to see who will take the leadership of the cartel, and if we'll see

blood in the streets for the shuffle of the highest position, and as that starts to happen. >> thank you. >> and anti-government protesters in thailand said they'll reduce the size of their rallies in bangkok and withdraw from several protest sites. at the same time many have gathered in the north of the country to show their support for the government. we have this from the northeast. >> reporter: this was a show of force by the red shirts, and the message to the opposition. they made it clear that they support the caretaker prime minister who is under pressure from the opposition to resign. the result is a deepening political crisis in thailand. here in the north there is no question where loyalties lie. it has been four months since government opponents took to the streets in bangkok. now the red shirts have begun to mobilize in their strongholds. >> we want to collect the people

and have to rally and maybe bangkok. >> this is the rural part of thailand, and these people are poor. they are the one who is voted shinawatra in mowe power in 201. now they feel the opposition is trying to keep them from benefiting from state policies. >> for people this is a fight to preserve democracy. they believe the opposition refusal to hold elections is unconstitutional. they want to replace government with an unelected council that will perform the political system. >> back in bangkok the protesters have promised to keep up their anti-government campaign despite their decision to remove roadblocks. instead they plan to camp out at a park. but this decision does not signal an end to the crisis

since the opposition hopes the court opposition will remove t them from power. >> we'll continue to occupy the bangkok streets for another three months, but the government doesn't care. they don't care how bangkok people are living. >> but people here have threatened to confront that pressure. they are talking about creating a volunteer force, and if they converge on bangkok, that could lead to direct confrontation and more violence. >> we have more on the news hour, algerians protest against their ailing leader running for a fourth term. several demonstrators and journalists are arrested. and kenyan women who break the law to learn how to protect

themselves. >> reporter: and i'm at the rock of gibraltar where there is a real fear of a football blockade.

>> these protestors have decided that today they will be

arrested >> these people have chased a president from power, they've torn down a state... >> what's clear is that people don't just need protection, they need assistance.

>> welcome back. top stories here on al jazeera. russia's upper house parliament has approved the use of military use in crimea if president vladimir putin thinks it is necessary. u.n. security council is scheduled to discuss the situation in the next hour. in crimea the airport is closed and they have taken control of police and security. one man cease-fire declaration. the group said they want to revive stalled talks with the government. for more of the crisis in ukraine let's join julie mcdonald in our london news center.

>> jane, thank you. the ukraine's opposition leader has called for what he described as a general mobilization on his party's website who is expected to run for the presidency and favor military action. but there are signs of trouble elsewhere in the country. here ar from kiev. >> reporter: in the east of the country pro russian supporters turned out in large numbers. first it was peaceful. there were clashes occupying a local government confronted by rival groups. the crisis in the country has stirred up new anger in the east. >> it used possible part of the soviet union.

that's what we demand, and that's why we are here. >> in 1991 it was a take over of the ukraine. now we've come here for justice so russia would be the legal successor to the soviet union. we want to be back in the soviet union. >> reporter: in the capitol they met to discuss the russian presence in crimea. >> a disproportionate russian presence on the territory of crimea is nothing but a provocation. russia's attempts to make ukraine react same forceful way have failed. we clearly understand that the plan was to create a territory of ukraine with victims, blood, war and civil conflict. >> reporter: but for the new administration in kiev the difficulties are growing. as president putin asked parliament to formalize the presence of russians on ukraine soil. all this as those in independent

square are still reeling from the deaths of protesters. >> here just a short distance away from independent square is one of the main barricades where many were killed. now it's the blanket of flowers. the ninth day of mourning. >> reporter: but now its events 800 kilometers away in crimea that are worrying people here. >> so why is crimea ukraine's only region with the russian ethnic majority to important? russia's black sea has operated as a port for 200 years. ukraine agreed to extend the

port in exchange for cheap gas. we're joined now by victoria in international law. thank you for joining us on the program. let's talk about the legalities the way it stands. we have russian troops on the border inside crimea. is this legal? >> despite the fact that the whole prou procedure to use mily force abroad has been used correctly. the president has received permission from the council of federation. i'm not sure about the legality because it's internal ukraine matter, and it shouldn't be interrupted or in any way a concern of russia. >> do you think, victoria, that is an illegal occupation?

can i use that phrase? >> well, it's not yet an occupation because no forces have been entered in to, the president has not yet given an order to use the military forces in ukraine. what's going on there now is somebody, who might be russian military forces actually performing acts and occupying, but it's not yet official. it's not yet illegal. >> we've got a bit of a gray area, victoria, in terms of the history of crimea between these two countries being relatively complex, i think. >> that's true. crimea has a long history. lots of russian-speaking people there, but still part of ukraine, and this is how it's

been for several years. if the citizens are not pleased with that, they should probably acquire the russian citizenship and move to the actual russian territory. but if they want to be an independent state, or if they want to be part of the russian federation, this should be done by referendum and not by russian force. it's an internal matter of ukraine. >> do you think perhaps there is an expectation, victory y that crcrimea may be included back io russia? >> i have no idea. i don't think it should be. because the matter has been solved long ago. and of course everyone is mostly welcomed if they would like to join russia, but this is an implicated issue. it should not be done by the matters of civil war in ukraine,

or by the matters of interference by any other state. that's why the ukraine is now searching help and protection from the u.n. security council because they feel that intervention might take place soon. >> thank you very much. now a british former inmate of guantanamo bay detention center has been arrested on terrorism charges. he was arrested last week. he denies charges to an alleged terrorist training in syria. >> he and a 44-year-old woman were arrested and charged with terrorism in syria, charges that

they deny. his son was been accused of facilitating terrorism overseas. he moved to united kingdom i in 2001. he was transferred to guantanamo bay in cuba where he spent more than two years behind bars. butt he was never formerly accused until now. this is the first time that he has been charged. he's accused of funding terrorism as well as providing terrorism training overseas. since his release from guantanamo he has been campaigning for those who say they have been victories of anti-terrorism measures. for now the they both remain in custody until their next court appearance in two weeks' time. >> the basque separatest group eta said that they'll press head

with the decommissioning of its entire arsenal. the group wishes to d declare cease-fire. family and friends gather to celebrate the death of a f lamenco guitarist. >> thank you. >> china's news state agency said 27 people have been stabbed to deat death at a railway stat. a group of knife-wielding men attacked people. 100 people are reported to have

been injured. local media saying the attackers were shot dead. the laws increase fines for polluters and facilities that fail to meet emission standards could be shut down. the environmental protection bureau has started carrying out random inspections of companies. south korea is warning jab not to issue an apology for using sex slaves during world war ii and said that japan would be isolate first degree this took back its apology. many of the women were from south korea and china. there have been more violent confrontations between security forces and anti-government protesters. more marchs have been called for

sunday. at least 18 people have been killed so far. protesters in the capitol of algeria against the president's plans to stand for an election for a fourth time. the demonstrators saw heavy police presence and several arrests were made. >> but the algerian leader plans to run for president again. the crowd chants anti-slogans. but the crowd is not easily moved. >> it's the freedom fighters who are in the army and all state institutions. it's a betrayal of the people and their history.

>> many algerians say the elections will not be fair. the president suffered a stroke last year rarely makes public appearances and critics say he's too frail to governor. his supporters say he's in good health and could win. others say the elections will be rigged and victory is a forgone conclusion. the algerian establishment feels any upheaval in the country could throw its major energy supply from europe into turmoil. for now tha algerian president enjoys the establishment. >> still ahead, we get a sneak peak of preparations for the biggest party on earth. fifa has religion covered as now both women and men are allowed

to wear headgear. details coming up in sport.

>> it is the biggest and most prestigious night on the calendar of the united states. the oscars take place in hollywood on sunday. while fans and celebrities mol over the nominees, a group feels

snubbed. >> jack gill has been grown up, beat up, boiled over and flipped out. but one thing he has never gotten was a nomination for an academy award. >> we feel like we're being left out. we feel like there is a big hole in the academy and we should be included in it. it should an no-brainer decision if it happens overnight. >> for decades gill and other stunt actors have been lobbying the academy of motion pictures to create a category of stunt actors. for an earth for make up, sound mixing, many are surprised there is not one for stunts. more than 40 stunt actors have been killed on set since 1980 safety has improved over the years but deadly accidents still happen. in 2011 26-year-old stunt actor

was killed in a boat scene for "expendables 2". if you're in this long enough you're going to get hurt. >> gill will continue pushing for the recognition they feel that they everybody. >> you put in your blood sweat and tears into a movie for almost a year. you watch the awards and see your friends accepting awards and you're sitting at moment by yourself. >> maybe one of these years stunt actors who risk their lives oh to entertain will get a chance to see one of their own get an award. >> we'll start with football and extend their lead at the top of the top of the english league. a hat trick from the german forward helping the blues to a 3-1 win now lead the table by

four points. newcastle beat hull 4-1, but the result was overshadowed b. they tried to retrieve the ball. he was sent off and likely to face further punishment fro. arsenal was shocked 1-0. and 2-0 to liverpool in the second half and they could leapfrog manchester city into third. there is still plenty of action in la liga on saturday. earlier on relegation, they started badly, santa cruz giving them the lead just 30 minutes in. but they struck back. final score, 1-1. three other games in spain on saturday, the match coming to an

end 2-0, will kick off shortly an.fifa has give the green light for players to cover their heads for religious reason. the head covers must be of the same main color of the jersey but not attached to the jersey. not pose any danger to the player wearing it or any other player, they're expected to release pictures of approved designs in the next few days. the latest ruling following fifa's decision in 2012 to allow female muslim players to cover their heads. the adapted head scarf used for the last two years has shown to be a success. >> we'rit was discrimination.

we decided what applies to female can apply to male, and the male player in the different competition can also where such covers. >> now gibraltar will kick off against the farrow islands in an international friendly. but the game is being overshadowed by political. issues in spain. >> reporter: when gibraltar finally joined the uefa football family last year, after a decade of legal membership blocking by spain, clean sailing was never expected, and there is already trouble brewing. it is worried that a friendly against the farrow islands will be troubled by traffic.

>> we'll continue so see plans in place 4 hours a day just in case this happens. with very little warning. this queue that you see now formed within minutes. >> the victoria stadium here is just a few hundred meters from the spanish border. a blockade after the farrow islands game could cause chaos for football fans, and deepen the resentment between this british territory and it's already irritated spanish neighbor. we asked the spanish authorities here at the border if tighter controls on traffic are planned for before or after the farrow islands game. they decline comment. gibraltar's qualifying games won't be played here. it doesn't meet uefa requirements for competitive fixtures. it will face poland, germany,

scotland and others in portugal. >> we're going to face the giants now. and this is not a german or scottish or polish or irish o hb team, this is the real thing. this is the top. i guarantee you that all the top players from those nations will be playing against us. >> reporter: uefa separated gibraltar and spain when they were drawn in the same group, a process usually reserved for warring nations not european partners. al jazeera the rock of gibralt gibraltar. >> things aren't looking good for construction champions redbull. they could not even complete one lap with his carroll to go a halt. it was settled out again but could not make it past the pit

eexit. >> we have not had the chance to explore the speed of the car. the liability is not good. but that's what testing is for. we have a lot of different problems occurring, so it's not the best situation to be in, but we can't change it. everybody is extremely motivated, fired up, to change it which doesn't happen overnight. >> roger federer has won his first title in nine months. before the former number one came back to win the last two sets andy murray has been dumped

out from the semi finals. he's still looking to reach his first final since having back surgery. euro mcilroross fish already tae shot lead in the final round of the open. he carded a final round of 67 and 18 under over all. cricket and david warner has put australia on the chart in the third test. after winning and choosing to bat first, they won 331-3 in their first inning. now it's been a historic day for

afghanistan's cricket team. they recorded their first ever victory over a test-playing nation. lots more on that story on our website as well as all the rest of the sport. that's it. more later. >> thank you very much. let's talk about parties. described as the biggest party on the plant. rio de janeiro's last big bash before brazil holds the world football cup. we take a look at the preparation. >> they are practicing their song and dance routines for competition. but the most important part of their program is a tightly guarded secret. behind closed doors in a giant

threthree-story warehouse they k around the clock to complete the larger than life floats and costumes to parade by the judges waiting for them. >> we work for 11 months for one appearance. we're always looking for new things without losing the essence, the brightness, the craftmanship. it's one of these mega productions that is like a hollywood film or lik like thiny in rio, an open air opera. the details from the competition is essential. the samba school allowed us rare glimpse of the preparations including the elaborate costumes. each work combines skill and pride. this demonstrated by maria who

has been making costumes for the last seven years. >> when we're sitting here we see it in all little pieces. once we see it all together it makes it very emotional. it makes me feel like crying. >> and that's the real secret. how it all comes together when up to 4,000 members of each samba school finally make their presentation. people can come and look and spy, but no one knows how the school is going to stage its performance. that's always the surprise. >> a surprise that brazilians live for with passion and anticipation, and this year is no exception. al jazeera, rio de janeiro. >> we have another full bulletin of news straight ahead.

>> good afternoon, and welcome to al jazeera america. i'm morgan radford live in new york city. we have special coverage today of our top story. the growing crisis in ukraine. the russian parliament has approved president vladimir putin to authorize the force in ukraine. this comes in a scheduled referendum for